Place of Publication: Fort-La-Fayette, Union Prison Camp at the Narrows of New York Bay, New York

Frequency: Unknown; possibly weekly

Volume and Issue Data: 1863-1864

Size and Format: Pen and ink

Editor/Publisher: Unknown; Confederate officers

Title Changes and Continuation: None

General Description and Notes:

The Right Flanker is the only known manuscript newspaper published by Confederate prisoners confined in the North during the Civil War. The paper was written in pen and ink, and after its staff was released, copies were taken to England and printed in book form (1865).

The introductory issue said the purpose of the paper was “to relieve the monotony of prison life, by calling into action the taste and faculties of those who are capable of contributing to its columns; instructing and amusing those who cannot, and to furnish to all who are to share the spice of excitement, which the risk of such a contraband undertaking affords, something of which it is hoped, reference can be pleasantly made by them in after years.” The editors then introduced themselves and their personal histories prior to imprisonment, but used no names, apparently to avoid punishment for the production of “contraband.”

The printed “transcript” of The Right Flanker runs 90 pages, but it unclear how faithful the printed version is to the handwritten originals.

The printed version depicts a paper devoted largely to an analysis of the war (based on New York newspaper reports), life in the prison camp, and the arrival of new prisoners. Humor or light features are infrequent.

Information Sources:

Bibliography: “Fort-La-Fayette Life, 1863-1864: In extracts from the ‘Right Flanker,’ a manuscript sheet circulating among the Southern Prisoners in Fort-La-Fayette,” The Magazine of History, Extra No. 13, 197-246.

Locations: Fort-La-Fayette Life, 1863-1864: In extracts from the “Right Flanker,” a manuscript sheet circulating among the Southern Prisoners in Fort-La-Fayette (London: Simpkin, Marshall and Co., 1865; New York: William Abbatt, 1911) [reprinted in The Magazine of History, Extra No. 13]

Size and Format: Single column; masthead includes motto: “Justice and Impartiality”

Editor/Publisher: H.C. Banke (1886); Dec. 2, 1886 paper identifies two women and one man as part of the “editorial staff,” and refers to the Redwing Literary Society, as if it were a primary sponsor and/or publisher

Title Changes and Continuation: Unknown

General Description and Notes:

The second number of this paper, signed by H.C. Banke, complains about the lack of news around town and urges contributions. The editor writes:

“Owing to the fact that but few contributions have arrived during the past week, and some of those that have arrived have been very dull, we have not such a large and interesting paper to present as we did last week. But believing that, what little we have will be cheerfully accepted by the members of the lyceum, this, No. 2 of our Lines, will be dedicated. Invitation is extended to all the members of the Redwing Literary Society to contribute something towards making the Red-wing (sic) Carrier-Pigeon interesting, which will also add to the well fare of our Society and to individual pleasure. All contributions which are not disrespectful or too personal in their nature will be cheerfully excepted (sic), and if they arrive before Wednesday will be published in the current issue of the paper. However, everything of a personal or disrespectful nature will be avoided from obvious reasons.

“The editorial staff is now composed of Mrs. H.E. Smith, Mr. B.C. Cofer and Mrs. L.J. Gifford. Contributions sent to either of the before mentioned ladies will reach the editor-in-chief safely. Contributors are requested to send their contributions and to them will be most convenient.”

Information Sources:

Bibliography: Robert F. Karolevitz, Newspapering in the Old West: A Pictorial History of Journalism and Printing on the Frontier (New York: Bonanza Books, 1969), p. 87; Bob Karolevitz, “Pen and Ink Newspapers of the Old West,” Frontier Times, 44:2 (Feb.-March 1970), 30, 62